Explanations by Master Cheng-Yan
Subject: The Three Wondrous of the Stupa of Treasures (寶塔上涌 三事稀有)
Date: January.15.2018
“The assembly saw this stupa of treasures emerge and rise into the sky. With wind chimes, banners and auspicious clouds, it demonstrated the good fortune of the world. The music of the wind chimes harmonized and spread throughout the heavens. From Many Treasures’ stupa came a wondrous voice affirming the perfect teachings.”
Remember what we said yesterday, that after the stupa of treasures arose, a loud voice came from the stupa. This stupa of treasures appeared to bear witness for Sakyamuni Buddha as He expounded the Lotus Sutra in this world at the Lotus Sutra Dharma-assembly. In the past, Many Treasures Buddha made a vow that, in any world where a Buddha is born and teaches the Lotus Sutra, His stupa of treasures will appear in that place to affirm that all Buddhas share the same path. The wondrous Dharma is what all Buddhas keep in their hearts. The Lotus Sutra is the wondrous Dharma that all Buddhas safeguard. This is the path shared by all Buddhas. Every Buddha has the same intent, to safeguard the wondrous Dharma. Every Buddha vows to present this wondrous Dharma to the world. As they protect this Dharma, they all have vows. The vow Many Treasures Buddha made came from countless kalpas ago, after He attained Buddhahood, as He was about to enter Parinirvana. He entrusted a mission to all His disciples. After He entered Parinirvana, they were to build a great, magnificent stupa for Him. Then, in the future, in any world where there was a Buddha teaching the Lotus Sutra, His stupa of treasures would be certain to manifest at that Dharma-assembly to affirm that all Buddhas share the same path, and affirm the wondrous Dharma that They all safeguard and praise. This was the vow Many Treasures Buddha made.
Although all Buddhas have shared vows, which are vows that they all make. They also have specific vows. Sakyamuni Buddha’s specific vow was for lifetime after lifetime; He would attain Buddhahood in the Saha World and life after life, come to the Saha World to transform sentient beings. This was Sakyamuni Buddha’s specific vow. That His stupa of treasures would emerge at the Lotus Dharma-assembly was the specific vow of Many Treasures Buddha. All Buddhas share one vow, to safeguard and uphold the Wondrous Dharma Lotus Flower Sutra. This is the shared vow of all Buddhas, but They also have specific vows. Now we have seen how two Buddhas’ shared vows and specific vows manifested together at this Dharma-assembly.
Sakyamuni Buddha had attained Buddhahood and was transforming beings in the Saha World. Now, before His life in this world came to an end, He had to teach the Lotus Sutra. This was the Buddha’s heartfelt vow. At that time, Many Treasures Buddha’s [stupa] also emerged at the Lotus Dharma-assembly. This was such an auspicious sign! So, “With wind chimes, banners and auspicious clouds, it demonstrated the good fortune of the world.” The stupa of treasures emerged, “emerged and rose into the sky.” It emerged from the ground. It was very big, and it seemed to have already reached the heavens. There were also wind chimes, banners and canopies surrounding the stupa; it was very magnificent! All around it [were clouds]. The stupa was very tall, 500 yojanas tall. It reached high into the sky; it was very tall. So, clouds, auspicious clouds, encircled it on all sides. This is because of how tall it was. “It demonstrated the good fortune of the world.” This was an auspicious sign for the world. Two Buddhas were in the world at the same time. One revealed the wondrous Dharma, the other revealed this auspicious sign, that of the stupa of treasures emerging. Clearly, this was a very auspicious moment.
So, “With wind chimes, banners and auspicious clouds, it demonstrated the good fortune of the world.” This was a very dignified Dharma-assembly. Next, “The music of the wind chimes harmonized.” There were wind chimes. The stupa was very tall, and chimes hung from it on all sides. When the wind blew, the chimes would ring. The harmonies they produced sounded like subtle, wondrous music. “[The music] spread throughout the heavens.” The entire universe resounded with this wondrous music. This kind of sound was indescribable. This was a wonderful, auspicious sign. With their eyes, people could see such harmonious people cools see such harmonious signs, and with their ears they could hear such wonderful sounds. This was such a wonderful state! So, “From Many Treasures’ stupa came a wondrous voice affirming the perfect teachings.” Many Treasures Buddha, from inside the stupa of treasures, began to speak with a loud voice. Outside, the wind sounded the chimes, and from inside the stupa, Many Treasures Buddha’s voice rang out. This was such a wondrous, auspicious sign.
In our minds, we can feel and comprehend how the prefect teachings and wondrous Dharma were spoken aloud through the Buddha’s speech. When the assembly heard the Dharma, they felt joy. On top of that, an ancient Buddha from another world had emerged from the ground. [This stupa] was very tall and very wide. Such a large stupa had emerged from the ground and rose into the sky. There were the sounds of the wind outside and the chimes, the sounds of nature and of material objects. Moreover, from within the tower came the voice of the Buddha. This was truly wondrous; it was indescribable. The people, in that state of mind, transformed these sounds into Dharma. They were able to fully understand the Dharma taught by the Buddha “500 yojanas,” as we should remember, is the same as 20,000 li; it was very tall. This represents blessings and wisdom. A few days ago we talked about actualizing the Six Paramitas in 10,000 actions and cultivating blessings and wisdom. Being replete in the Six Paramitas and actualizing them in 10,000 actions demonstrates virtue. The height of the stupa demonstrates virtue. Its width represents how all Buddhas who come to this world extensively analyze sentient beings’ various types of affliction and. This foundation is made of many kinds of karma. With this foundation of karma in the world, the Buddha could not bear to let the world’s sentient beings continually replicate this deep and vast foundation of afflictions. The Buddha could not bear this, so He came to this would to transform all beings; this was His great cause. If sentient beings did not create karma, the Buddha would not need to come to this world. Sentient beings suffer from karmic forces and severe afflictions, ignorance and delusion. So, all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas have to come to the world to transform themselves and others. They manifest an appearance to transform sentient beings. The Buddha responds to sentient beings’ needs. Their 80,000 afflictions need 80,000 kinds of Bodhi as treatment. Confusion is treated by awakening. So, the appearance of the stupa of treasures was to demonstrate that sentient beings’ many layers of karmic forces and afflictions can be treated by Bodhisattvas and Buddhas who respond with myriads of actions. They use all kinds of methods, which shows that this Dharma is supreme and unsurpassed.
Therefore, we must always engage in practice and actualize the Six Paramitas in all actions. This was why the stupa appeared; actualizing the Six Paramitas in all actions is part of the perfect teachings. So, as soon as this sound was emitted, as everyone saw the stupa with their eyes, and heard the sounds around it with their ears, everyone rejoiced in their hearts. Everything that this revealed was the Dharma.
In fact, the stupa is a kind of analogy. It helps sentient beings’ minds understand the Buddha-Dharma. This analogy is very profound. The Dharma is profound, so we need accept it with joyful hearts to understand it. The stupa’s appearance made everyone happy; they attained the Dharma and thus felt Dharma-joy.
Hearing the sound of the wind chimes, they were filled with praise and all attained Dharma-joy. There were three wonders: That the stupa emerged from the ground, that it stayed in the air and that a voice came from it. These three wonders were extraordinary, so how could [the assembly] be without question? Thus it says, Such wonders were unprecedented. [They] withdrew to one side: They reverently awaited hearing [the Dharma].
So, “hearing the sound of the wind chimes, they were filled with praise.” When the wind chimes rang, it was like the voice of the Buddha. The ringing [of the chimes] was harmonious, like all things converging together. When people heard it, their minds converged with the Dharma. As their minds and the Dharma converged like this, they were joyful and filled with praise. So, “They thus all attained Dharma-joy.” These were wonders; “Such wonders were unprecedented”. First, the stupa emerged from the ground. In the past, no one had ever seen a stupa surge up from the ground. This is something that had never happened before. So, people thought it was very strange. Second, this stupa was very tall. Vertically, it reached up until it touched the sky, as if it was floating in mid-air. In stayed there in the air, so high that it reached the clouds. Many auspicious clouds surrounded the stupa. This was the second unprecedented wonder. It was very wondrous; it had never happened before. Third, from the stupa, a voice was heard. Many Treasures Buddha’s voice spoke from within the stupa. This was the third unprecedented wonder. These three things were truly extraordinary; they were unprecedented in this world. So, everyone gave rise to questions. Thus, these are called “wondrous”. “Such wonders were unprecedented.” These things had never happened in this world.
Thus, “[They] withdrew to one side. A latter passage of the sutra passage says. [They] withdrew to one side. It seemed that everyone gathered in one place and stood on all sides with hearts of deep reverence. Everyone surrounding that place looked at the stupa with utmost reverence. They came and awaited hearing [the Dharma]. From inside the stupa, Many Treasures Buddha had already spoken. Sakyamuni Buddha should now be about to teach. This was people’s state of mind. This was the case for everyone. After the Buddha taught the Chapter on Dharma Teachers, the stupa appeared. In one person after another, this image emerged in the ground of everyone’s minds. This was the state of everyone’s mind. It was as if a stupa emerged from the ground in each person’s mind. As we mentioned before, any place where the Lotus Sutra is taught is a place where the Buddha’s entire body is present. That sutra passage and this one should be linked together. This is describing the ground of our minds. We have already accepted the Dharma; we have heard it and taken it to heart. We should also have the aspiration to uphold it. So, from the ground of our minds this kind of stupa should also emerge. Our hearts should be very jubilant, very happy. We form great aspirations and actualize the Six Paramitas. We actualize the Six Paramitas in all actions and cultivate blessings and wisdom. In this world, there are so many defilements. So, we must make the aspiration to brush away all afflictions and ignorance, which are like dust particles. We should use all Dharma to sweep away our dust-like delusions and transform them into auspicious clouds surrounding the Buddha’s stupa. Then our minds all be very jubilant and happy. The wind chimes sounded like the Buddha’s voice. The Dharma comes from the Buddha’s speech. The sound of the Buddha teachings is still ringing in our ears, circling in the ground of our minds. All Dharma surges forth, like the harmonious music of the wind chimes.
The Buddha’s voice has Eight Tones. So, the sound of the Buddha will always seem to be in our minds. This is something we should have. In our minds, we need deep reverence as we await how, after the Chapter on Dharma Teachers, the Buddha will proclaim to us the most subtle and wondrous Dharma. This is an “appearance”. At the Vulture Peak Assembly, did a stupa like this actually emerge? If we understand this in terms of the Dharma, then it should mean that the Dharma had emerged from the ground of our minds. So, they waited with a heart of deep reverence for the Buddha to give the next teaching, to describe this wondrous Dharma. What would this wondrous teaching suitable for the world in the future actually be? This was what everyone reverently awaited.
So, the previous sutra passage says, “That which is safeguarded by all Buddhas…” What all Buddhas safeguard is the wondrous Dharma. This is the Dharma they share. All Buddhas share the same path. The Dharma common to the path of all Buddha’s is the Wondrous Dharma Lotus Flower Sutra.
The Wondrous Dharma Lotus Flower Sutra that is safeguarded by all Buddhas is what He teaches to the assembly. Indeed, indeed, it is as Sakyamuni, the World-Honored One, teaches. It is all true.
The Wondrous Dharma Lotus Flower Sutra is what is safeguarded by the Buddha. This is the path common to all Buddhas. What They all have the same aspiration to protect is the Wondrous Lotus Sutra. This what They must teach the assembly. Before each Buddha enters Parinirvana, He absolutely must teach the Lotus Sutra. So, this was the time when the Buddha had to proclaim the wondrous spiritual medicine that can heal the world.
So [it says], “Indeed, indeed”. From the stupa of treasures came this sound [it confirmed] that the Buddha was now teaching the Wondrous Lotus Sutra, which is safeguarded by all Buddhas. This was the voice of Many Treasures Buddha inside the stupa if treasures. “Indeed, indeed, it is as Sakyamuni, the World-Honored One, teaches, it is all true.” This was the main reason for the stupa of treasures’ appearance in this world. It came to affirm that the Buddha in this world, Sakyamuni Buddha, in all the teachings He expounded taught the true and wondrous Dharma. This was not only case now; also in the past, everything He taught was true and wondrous Dharma. Although He taught skillful means, in these skillful means was hidden the true Dharma. Now, He was opening up the door of skillful means to reveal the True Dharma. This is what the appearance the stupa of treasures affirms.
The next sutra passage goes on to say, “At that time, the fourfold assembly saw the great stupa of treasures staying in the air and heard the sounds coming from the stupa. They all attained Dharma-joy. Such wonders were unprecedented. They rose from their seats, put their palms together in reverence and withdrew to one side.”
At that time, the stupa of treasures had appeared and sounds had come from the sutra. At that moment, the fourfold assembly at the Vulture Peak Assembly saw the stupa of great treasures emerge from the ground and keeps surging up into the sky, up in the sky among the clouds. Everyone saw this.
At that time, the fourfold assembly saw the great stupa of treasures staying in the air: This explains that with the emergence of the stupa of treasures the hearts of the assembly were reverence.
This explained that when Sakyamuni Buddha was expounding this sutra, when the stupa of treasures emerged from the ground, sentient beings’ minds were filled with reverence. Everyone felt reverence from the depth of their heart. They were also filled with admiration. The Buddha’s virtues are like this stupa; this was demonstrating His virtues.
The assembly saw this stupa: It emerged and rise into the sky. The wind chimes, banners and auspicious [clouds] demonstrated the good fortune of the world. The music of the wind chimes was harmonious; this was the most beautiful [sound] in the heavens.
The Buddha’s virtues are perfect. They are like a stupa of treasures that surges up high into the cloud. “it emerged and rose into the sky.” It rose all the way into the clouds. So, there were “wind chimes, banners and auspicious [clouds].” When the wind blew, the chimes sounded, the banners waved and many auspicious clouded [the stupa]. These auspicious signs manifested in the world in this kind of state. So, “The music of the wind chimes was harmonious,” resulting in the most beautiful sound in the world. The most wonderful sound in the entire world was produced at that time. They also heard “the sounds coming from the stupa. They all attained Dharma-joy.”
[They heard the sounds coming from the stupa. They all attained Dharma-joy: “indeed,” “excellent” and so on all refer to attaining great Dharma- joy from the Tathagata’s wondrous Dharma.
The external sounds came from the wind, banners and chimes. These were appearances we could see and sound we could hear. Now, even Many Treasures Buddha’s voice had been [heard] from within the stupa. Everyone was very happy, filled with Dharma-joy. [He said], “Indeed, indeed.” The voice coming from the stupa said, “Indeed, indeed.” “Excellent! Excellent!” Very good, excellent! The most wonderful Dharma in the world had already been expounded by Sakyamuni Buddha to people in this world. The Tathagata is Sakyamuni Buddha. “[This is] attaining great Dharma-joy from the Tathagata’ wondrous Dharma.” Sakyamuni Buddha gave so many teachings. The Dharma accumulated over more than 40 years was all the Tathagata’s wondrous Dharma. In the midst of this wondrous Dharma, the stupa of treasures appeared, emerging within everyone’s mind. So, everyone attained great Dharma-joy. When the stupa of treasures appeared, such a joyful state emerged in everyone’s minds. This Dharma-joy is indescribable. “Only the person who drinks the water knows its temperature.” This appearance and this sound, did they manifest in the external world, or emerge from the ground of people’s minds? These were all auspicious signs and wondrous sounds which made everyone give rise to Dharma-joy.
Dharma-joy: Since they witnessed the Buddha’s inconceivable Dharma, their hearts gave rise to joy. Moreover, they heard the sounds of praise. They thus all attained Dharma-joy.
So, “Since they witnessed the Buddha’s inconceivable Dharma…” This means they had already seen the Buddha’s inconceivable Dharma. This is what they had heard for over 40 years. The Dharma is fundamentally intangible, without physical substance or appearance. But now everyone felt Dharma-joy, and from the minds they saw this manifestation of the Dharma. So, it says, ”They witnessed the Buddha’s inconceivable Dharma.” They had already seen it. The Dharma is so subtle and wondrous. As for seeing the Dharma, of course we cannot do so with our physical eyes. We must use our mind’s eyes to truly see the Dharma. So, everyone used their mind’s eye to see the Buddha’s truths and principles. This is inconceivable. So, “They witnessed the Buddha’s inconceivable Dharma.” To see the Buddha is to awaken. To awaken is [to see] the truths and principles. We must use our mind’s eye to thoroughly understand this awakening and comprehend this Dharma. “Their hearts gave rise to joy.” This is called Dharma-joy, a joy that comes from our minds. It cannot be described with words and cannot be conceived of by ordinary people. This kind of joy is hard to describe. So, when our minds give rise to joy, that is Dharma-joy.
“Moreover, they heard the sounds of praise.” From within the stupa, they heard this sound, this sound of praise “They thus all attained Dharma-joy.” This came from the stupa. We “all have a stupa on Vulture Peak.” A voice is coming from this stupa in our minds. It reveals the virtues of our nature of True Suchness. This is already within our minds; we already have this understanding, this resonance with the Buddha’s enlightenment. So, in the past I have often talked about “resonating with the Buddha’s heart.” Our hearts and the Buddha’s heart connect and resonate with each other. So, in the ground of our minds, we all have a stupa at Vulture Peak. This is our nature of True Suchness. Starting from the Chapter on Dharma Teachers, we should be upholding the Dharma in our minds. This is the time for our hearts to resonate with the Buddha’s heart. So, “Such wonders were unprecedented. They rose from their seats.”
Such wonders were unprecedented They rose from their seats: The entire assembly was amazed and said that this had never happened before. They wanted to inquire into the causes and conditions of this stupa, so they rose from their seats.
After the Buddha’s stupa appeared, a voice came from inside it. The appearances that were seen were all truly things that had never been seen before. Now they had [appeared]. Now our minds are experiencing them, experiencing this appearance of the Dharma, the Dharma’s true appearance. So, these did not exist in the past, and [the assembly] had now experienced them and developed this kind of resonance. “Such wonders were unprecedented.” With a mind of deep respect, everyone “rose from their seats.” They did this out of amazement. Nothing like this had ever happened before. Now, they had this feeling, this mindset; they now resonated with the Dharma. So, this had not happened in the past. “They wanted to inquire into the causes and conditions of this stupa, so they rose from their seats.” A stupa had appeared in everyone’s mind. With respect from the depth of their hearts, they all rose from their seats at the same time. They prepared to ask about the causes and conditions of this stupa, the circumstances of both the stupa in their mind and the stupa [ that emerged from] the ground. So, to express their respect, everyone arose; they stood up from their seats. “Such wonders were unprecedented.” We must put our hearts into this we must mindfully comprehend what we just heard.
There were three wonders: That the stupa emerged from the ground, that it stayed in the air and that a voice came from it. These three wonders were extraordinary, so how could [ the assembly] be without uestions? So it says, “Such wonders were unprecedented.”
The word “wonder” refers to three things. The stupa surging up from the ground is the first. The stupa abiding in the air is the second. Avoice coming from the stupa is the third. These were wonders [The assembly] had questions in their minds. These things did not exist in the past. Why were there these appearances now? So, these three things truly were very rare. We must also remember them. These are essential teachings. So, I must repeat them to you all so you can better understand the main points, These things were very rare. “How could [ the assembly] be without questions?” How could we not keep wondering about to how [the stupa] emerged from the ground to reach the sky, 20,000 in height? Clearly, it was in the air, surrounded by auspicious clouds. Why was this? Moreover, a voice came from the stupa. What were the causes and conditions for this? As we listen to the Dharma right now, we must pay attention to these three rare things. we must pay attention to these three rare things. What is the Dharma behind this? We should also ask these questions. We should be able to analyze this Dharma. We must keep this in mind and pay attention to these three phenomena. Everyone had deep reverence as they brought up the question about the causes and conditions behind these.
Thus, we must pay attention to and comprehend them. So, “Such wonders were unprecedented.” We must keep these three things in mind. We must be very mindful of them. They reverently put their palms together. [They] put their palms together in reverence. With great reverence and respect, they put their palms together.
[They ] put their palms together in reverence and withdrew to one side:
First they showed reverence by putting their palms together and bowing deeply. Then they withdrew to stand to one side, waiting to hear [the Dharma].
They not only rose from their seats, they also expressed their reverence by putting their palms together. With this, everyone “withdrew to one side.” They stood up and gathered together in one place. “First they showed reverence.” They first showed respect, “putting their palms together and bowing deeply.” This demonstrates great respect. Everyone had been sitting, scattered about. Now, they all stood up and gathered together to ask the Buddha for teachings.
So, with great respect they put their palms together and bowed deeply. “Then they withdrew to stand to one side.” Everyone gathered together to show their great respect. Then, everyone stepped back and waited for teachings. They waited for the Buddha to begin explaining why the stupa of treasures appeared and the meaning contained in the stupa of treasures. Everyone put their hearts into this. In fact, the stupa of treasures is in their mind.
This is like how, a few days ago, people from over ten countries came from different places to assemble here in Hualien. They are all entrepreneurs. They are very accomplished in their businesses. Once or twice a year, we welcome businessmen from all over the world to come to Hualien for a Jing Si Lifestyle Camp. They want to understand the spirit with which Tzu Chi manages this group of Bodhisattvas. How can the spirit and ideals of Bodhisattvas be widely transmitted? In their different countries, they have received the love of Tzu Chi volunteers who, throughout their country, serve the poor and suffering and guide those with afflictions and ignorance. The volunteers treated them as friends and interacted with them with loving speech, so the people there were touched and transformed. They used charitable giving, beneficial conduct, loving speech and working together, but where did these Living Bodhisattvas and this organization actually come from? What is [Tzu Chi’s] origins? What led the volunteers to change their lives? They were curious, so they came to understand. They came here to understand, and in the process they shared with each other and were touched by each other. In the past, each individual’s life was filled with so much ignorance and afflictions. Their worldly customs were deep-rooted and their habitual tendencies very severe. What was the teaching that helped them change their past habitual tendencies and eliminate their layers of severe ignorance? How did they eliminate these and turn their lives around so they now are selfless and give of their love for everyone in the world? We could see every one of them teach by example. Their friends attest to how, in the past, people used to avoid them when they saw them. Now, when people see them, they feel happy. This is the “stupa” we just talked about Sentient beings’ ignorance and habitual tendencies are the foundation.
Because sentient beings have so much ignorance, afflictions and habitual tendencies, they create all kinds of karma. The Buddha came to this world to save ad transform sentient beings. So, He came to this world to practice actualizing the Six Paramitas in all actions. He had now perfected this. So, the stupa of treasures is 500 yojanas [high], reaching to the clouds. The foundation is 250 yojanas [wide]. Sentient beings’ myriad kinds of ignorance was the foundation. So, all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas come to this world to transform sentient beings. In this world, they receive the Dharma and engage in spiritual cultivation, practicing until they attain Buddhahood. Then [their work] will be complete. This is putting things simply. However, the 250 yojanas means that inside much wondrous Dharma is contained. So, “Afflictions are Bodhi.” Everything is the Dharma. So, we must constantly put our hearts into comprehending this. We must mindfully experience the wondrousness of the Dharma. And we must of course always be mindful.
(Source: Da Ai TV – Wisdom at Dawn program – Explanation by Master Chen-Yen)
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